NPA seeks greater control over its budget

The National Prosecuting Authority is preparing legislation that could give it greater control over its finances and operational decisions.

National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi said a draft amendment to the NPA Act could be ready by November.

Speaking at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Africa conference, Mothibi said the NPA currently operates as a programme within the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, limiting its control over its budget.

The proposed changes would seek to establish the NPA as a scheduled entity under the Public Finance Management Act, giving it greater responsibility for financial and operational decisions.

A project to develop the amendments has already been established, with the NPA's finance team engaging National Treasury.

Mothibi said the authority was also assessing the skills, equipment and other resources needed to strengthen its ability to prosecute serious crime and corruption.

He highlighted prosecutor-guided investigations as another area being developed, with prosecutors becoming involved earlier in investigations to reduce delays between investigators and prosecutors.

The approach is being used by the team investigating matters linked to the Madlanga Commission.

Mothibi also called for closer cooperation between prosecutors, investigators, auditors and fraud examiners as organised criminal networks become more sophisticated.

He said he wanted to return to next year's conference with measurable improvements in the NPA's resources and operations.